Gadkari to inaugurate Makru Bridge on July 2
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 24 2021: Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari will be inaugurating the newly constructed Makru Bridge on the Imphal-Jiribam route along National Highway-37 on July 2 .

According to a report, written instructions have been issued to the state's officials concerned regarding the preparations for inauguration of the bridge.

On October 12, 2017, CM Biren had performed the Bhoomi Puja to commence the construction of Makru and Barak bridges.

Bhartiya Infra Projects began construction of the bridges at an estimated cost of Rs 100 crore under the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) .

There have been several instances of kidnappings for ransom of labourers and engineers involved in the project by unlawful groups, which delayed the completion of the project ahead of deadline.

Nonetheless, the time duration was extended and efforts made to complete the constructions as soon as possible.

Regarding Makru bridge, the construction was completed around 15 days ago with blacktopping of all approaching roads to the bridge.

Previously, both Makru and Barak bridges used to have incidents of mishaps, which led to delay in delivery of essential items to the state.

As such, the decision was taken to replace the old bridges with new RCC structures.

The state government had expressed the wish to have a union minister to inaugurate the two bridges and thus, the invitation was extended to the Union Road and Transport minister, the report added.

The report further conveyed that Nitin Gadkari had agreed to inaugurate Makru Bridge, one of the most important bridges connecting the state's lifeline, Imphal-Jiribam road.

As per the instructions of the Union minister, the inauguration function will be attended by state ministers, MPs and MLAs, while NHIDCL has been instructed with regard to movement along the bridge.

Meanwhile, with completion of repairing on Thursday, the old Barak bridge located along Imphal-Jiri Road has been thrown open to vehicular traffic.

Some wood planks of the important bridge were broken and clamps loosen four days back, thus necessitating immediate repair.

Around 500 vehicles were left stranded for the last four days as they could not crossed the bridge.

However, after Bharatia Infra Project Limited (BIPL) repaired the bridge, vehicular traffic has resumed.

A BIPL official informed that BIPL under NHIDCL has been constructing RCC bridges for Barak Bridge and Makru Bridge.

Since the beginning of constructing the two bridges in October 2017, BIPL has been maintaining the old bridges.

BIPL did not take a single penny from the state government for repairing the bridges in the interest of the people as the two bridges are the lifelines of the state, the official stated, while adding that their workers are maintaining the bridges while the two new bridges are being constructed.

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